March 28, 2024

Monday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 2/26/2018

Parkland shooting makes Florida the target for gun politics

The National Rifle Association, equipped with a vaunted political email list and support from passionate single-issue voters, is gearing up to take on Florida Gov. Rick Scott and GOP leaders as they tee up a rarity in Florida lawmaking: gun control legislation. More from Politico, Miami Herald and the Tampa Bay Times.

See also:
» Florida Gov. Scott on gun-school safety plan: 'I want my state to be safe'
» Gov. Scott's "Major Action Plan" to improve school safety following Parkland shooting
Quick poll:
» Regarding arming teachers at K-12 schools in Florida, which plan do you agree with: President Trumps (20% of teachers should be armed), or Gov. Scott's (don't arm teachers, but have one law enforcement officer at every public school)?

New tax law raises questions for state ‘piggyback’

Since Florida’s corporate income tax, which is 5.5 percent, is based on federal tax liability, changes in federal law can affect the amount of tax revenue the state collects from businesses. Last year, Florida collected nearly $2.2 billion in corporate taxes, making it one of the state’s most significant revenue sources, outside of the sales tax. Senate Finance and Tax Appropriations Chairwoman Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland), is sponsoring a bill (SB 502) that conforms or “piggybacks” Florida’s corporate tax law with the federal tax code. See the bill here, and read more at Florida Politics.

Massacre survivor calls for spring break boycotts in Florida

The National Rifle Association, and now the state of Florida, faced a growing backlash Saturday as companies cut ties to the gun industry following the latest school massacre, and student survivors called for tourism boycotts of their home state until gun control measures are enacted. More from the AP, WPLG, and the Miami Herald.

Realtors are ‘every 10 feet’ in Florida but more want in the business

Florida already has 180,000 Realtors battling it out for commissions at a time when there are so few homes on the market. And the ranks of agents keeps growing — last year, 32,223 first-timers took the licensing exam statewide, just slightly off of 2016’s applicant pool. [Source: TBO.com]

Top tech employers step up hiring in South Florida

South Florida’s tech sector is taking on new dimensions, with large- and mid-sized employers adding hundreds of jobs. As other top tech sectors around the country also seek out talent, the competition is getting even more heated in a labor market with the lowest unemployment in a decade. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› JEA plans big fix for problems exposed by Irma
Hurricane Irma’s destruction has faded into the background as balmy weather points to springtime, but with the next hurricane season less than 100 days away, JEA is striving to correct two of the problems that arose during Irma: communication breakdowns with customers and sewage overflows at pump stations.

› Florida Poly developing "Happy Suit" for Astronauts
Faculty and students at Florida Polytechnic University are developing a critical component for the next generation of spacesuits that will not only make astronauts more comfortable and efficient, but will also keep them happy.

› Proposal to keep Florida in year-round daylight saving time rapidly advancing
The Sarasota lawmaker had no expectation that the bill would advance; it was just an idea he tossed out to gauge public interest. But the proposal caught fire and appears to have a good chance of passing the Legislature this year. See Senate Bill 858 "Daylight Savings Time," here.

Spring Break in Florida

› Orlando's Spring Break could draw 2.9 million visitors — and AAA has it rank
Orlando’s attractions, warm weather and proximity to beaches pushed it to the top of AAA’s list ahead of Fort Lauderdale; Honolulu; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and Cancun, Mexico. About 2.9 million people are expected to visit Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties during Spring Break. Read more at the Orlando Sentinel.

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